2026–27 Ford Bronco vs Toyota 4Runner: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the 4Runner — it leads our weighted scorecard 5–4 across 9 categories, winning on better fuel economy (23 mpg vs 20 mpg best EPA combined) and more towing capacity (6,000 lb vs 4,500 lb). Choose the Bronco if the lower sticker matters most ($41,295 vs $43,490 to start).
Scorecard: Bronco 4 pts · 4Runner 5 pts across 9 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2026 Bronco | 2027 4Runner | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | $41,295 | $43,490 | Bronco |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | 62.2% | 61.2% | Tie |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 20 mpg | 23 mpg | 4Runner |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 418 hp | 326 hp | Bronco |
| Max towing (1) | 4,500 lb | 6,000 lb | 4Runner |
| Cargo behind rear seats (1) | 38.3 cu ft | 48.4 cu ft | 4Runner |
| Standard seats (1) | 4 | 5 | 4Runner |
| Median discount verified buyers got (1) | 10.5% off MSRP | 4.9% off MSRP | Bronco |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | 35 | 3 | 4Runner |
| Weighted points | 4 | 5 | 4Runner |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: the 4Runner — 23 mpg vs 20 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Family. Families: the 4Runner — 5 vs 4 (standard seats).
- Budget. Tight budgets: the Bronco — $41,295 vs $43,490 (starting MSRP).
- Resale. Resale-minded buyers: it's a wash — Bronco 62.2% vs 4Runner 61.2% (5-year value retained).
- Towing. Towing: the 4Runner — 6,000 lb vs 4,500 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
The Bronco starts at $41,295 and tops out at $80,990; the 4Runner runs $43,490 to $68,870 (manufacturer MSRP, before destination). Verified Bronco buyers paid a median 10.5% off MSRP across 6 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 11.9% off. Verified 4Runner buyers paid a median 4.9% off MSRP across 59 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 6.7% off.
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- Bronco: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- 4Runner: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 model years: Bronco 35, 4Runner 3.
Latest rated model years on our years-to-avoid pages: Bronco 2023 (avoid), 2024 (solid), 2025 (solid).
Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.
Specs side by side
| 2026 Bronco | 2027 4Runner | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | $41,295 | $43,490 |
| Top-trim MSRP | $80,990 | $68,870 |
| Horsepower | 300–418 hp | 278–326 hp |
| Max torque | 440 lb-ft | 465 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 15–20 mpg | 21–23 mpg (hybrid avail.) |
| Max towing | 4,500 lb | 6,000 lb |
| Max payload | 1,417 lb | — |
| Seats (standard / max) | 4 / 5 | 5 / 7 |
| Cargo behind rear seats | 38.3 cu ft | 48.4 cu ft |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Size
| Bronco | 4Runner | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 189.4 in | 194.9 in |
| Width | 75.9 in | 78 in |
| Height | 73 in | 72.6 in |
| Wheelbase | 116.1 in | 112.2 in |
| Ground clearance | 8.4 in | 8.1 in |
Resale: 5-year value retained
A 5-year-old (2021) Bronco lists for a median $35,447 — 62.2% of today's median new price of $56,969. A 5-year-old (2021) 4Runner lists for a median $37,050 — 61.2% of today's median new price of $60,580.
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More on the Ford Bronco
More on the Toyota 4Runner
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the Bronco better than the 4Runner?
On our data, no — the 4Runner comes out ahead. Our pick: the 4Runner — it leads our weighted scorecard 5–4 across 9 categories, winning on better fuel economy (23 mpg vs 20 mpg best EPA combined) and more towing capacity (6,000 lb vs 4,500 lb). Choose the Bronco if the lower sticker matters most ($41,295 vs $43,490 to start).
Which is more reliable, the Bronco or the 4Runner?
We only rank reliability by NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold, and that rate isn't available for both models yet. NHTSA lists 35 recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 Bronco and 3 for the 4Runner.
Which holds its value better, the Bronco or the 4Runner?
About the same — 62.2% vs 61.2% retained after five years (within 2 points).
Which is cheaper, the Bronco or the 4Runner?
The Bronco starts lower: $41,295 vs $43,490 starting MSRP (before destination). Verified buyers paid a median 10.5% off MSRP on the Bronco (6 deals) and 4.9% on the 4Runner (59 deals).
Which has better gas mileage, the Bronco or the 4Runner?
The 4Runner: up to 23 mpg combined vs 20 mpg for the Bronco (best EPA rating across each lineup).
How we score
Each category compares one published number per model and counts only when both models have it. The winner earns the category weight; results inside the tie band earn nothing. Our pick has more weighted points; level points fall back to more category wins, then the reliability winner, then the price winner.
- Starting MSRP: lower wins; tie within 3%.
- NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold: lower wins; tie within 15%.
- 5-year value retained: higher wins; tie within 2 points.
- Best EPA combined: higher wins; tie within 1 mpg (3 MPGe).
- Most horsepower available: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Max towing: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Cargo behind rear seats: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Standard seats: higher wins; tie same count.
- Median discount verified buyers got: higher wins; tie within 0.5 points.
- Recalls, 2023–2025 model years: lower wins; tie within 1.
Towing weighs 2 for pickups and 1 otherwise; seating is only scored between SUVs and minivans, using standard (never optional) seats. Sources: automaker spec pages and order guides; EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov); NHTSA owner complaints and recall campaigns against published US sales; median used asking prices across active US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers; verified buyer-submitted deal sheets for discounts.
Cite this page: CarWhere, "2026–27 Ford Bronco vs Toyota 4Runner: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/ford-bronco-vs-toyota-4runner, updated November 8, 2026.